Rating: 
Summary: Hannibal The Scamible
Review: I feel completely rip offed. This book was good through out the first half of the book. It was going in the right direction or so it seemed. but from the second half it just got to the point where you wanted the book to end. But then to add to my dismay, when the book did end, it ended up horrible. It was pointless to write a book like this and end it the way that Thomas Harris did. It looked as though this book had been rushed. If I could return it and get my money back, I would.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: This book is a wretched disappointment. Thomas Harris' earlier works are densely woven, lyrical character studies. In this book, it seems the author attempts to hide weakly developed plot threads and uninteresting central characters behind incredibly gratuitous violence. The ending was unconvincing and shamelessly sickening. Hannibal was truly a waste of valuable reading time.
Rating: 
Summary: AT LAST!!! And just what I wanted...
Review: This so-called part three of the Hannibal Lecter trilogy (ha ha) was everything I hoped it would be and more. You want shock, you get shock. You want more of Hannibal Lecter, you get more of him (the historical details made perfect sense). And the opportunity to observe the development of Clarice and Hannibal's ongoing conversation is a curious study on the structure of human interactions. Harris was quoted as saying that he had to believe the story he wrote himself, and I believed every minute of it... even the ending. I know most people say that there was a shocking slap in the face at the end, but in all honesty, from the start, it was almost inevitable (I won't give it away the way Salon.com unmercifully did). True, the middle lacked punch, but I don't think Hannibal was meant to be punchy and action packed, but rather a subtly titilating unraveling, kind of like muffled screams in excited anticipation. I loved it. I just wish I were more literate so I could pick apart the references to the classics and analyze their relations to the story.
Rating:
Summary: I wanted badly to like this book but could not...
Review: Along with millions of others, I loved Silence of the Lambs and I eagerly purchased Hannibal full of excitement. As I finished the last page of the novel, I truly felt that I had wasted my money. I am not normally squeamish but I felt that the story contained an abundant amount of unneeded grotesque scenes. And the ending was utterly unsatisfying and seemingly beyond the realm of remote possibility. As I trudged through the gore I was hoping that the climax would overcome the weak points of the story. It did not. Unfortunately, I cannot recommend this book to anyone.
Rating: 
Summary: Excellent story!
Review: Hannibal is the ultimate monster. Clarice and his relationship, begun in "Silence...", was as surprising to me as the ending to this terrific book. I eagerly awaited this new story...and I was not disappointed!
Rating: 
Summary: It all just fizzled...
Review: Harris' writing style and imagery started out the novel with great potential. To my surprise the book was not filled with blood, mutilation and murder. The voilence lay more within the minds of Mason Verger and, of course, Dr. Lecter. I couldn't put the book down and found myself driven to read on not by the writing but by a morbid curiosity as to the ending. I found the novel's plot to build for a while, plateau and then fizzle into nothing. The only thing good about the ending is that is is completely unexpected... but that really is the ONLY good thing about it. I found the ending to be disappointing, confusing, unexplainable, and almost completely untied to the rest of the book. After following Lecter, Verger and Starling for almost 400 pages, I found the ending not worth the time.
Rating:
Summary: Sensational!
Review: After eleven years of waiting I finally got to read the next chapter in the life of Hannibal Lecter. I was not dissapointed. I extremely enjoyed the insight to lecters' mind and past. I also enjoyed the characters of Mason and Margot Verger. The addition of these characters added greatly to the story. The chapters on Italy were intriguing and informational. The ending was just as I wanted it to be, but feared that it would not be possible. My thanks to Harris for the ending.
Rating:
Summary: An underrated work of audacity
Review: I think a lot of people didn't like the book because it defied their perceptions. To give one star or two is clearly done out of frustration. As far as the writing is concerned, um, it's just as well written as The Silence of the Lambs (I have not read his two others - although I will read Red Dragon). I think the way Harris's flair changes according to the characters, the mood, and the action, is genius. I also love the way he involves his reader, at least on three occasions, in the story as if we were voyeurs. As an English Literature student this is some of the most unique writing I have seen. In general it was a very interesting story with a multiple of characters that you either love or truly hate (execpt for Pazzi, which you love and hate). The ending is strange (I admit), but I applaude Thomas Harris for his audacity. The final chapters are frustrating, but I always love a book that disturbs me even though it doesn't "please" me. The book certainly gets my respect and admiration. I wish Mr. Harris would come out and defend his book. This is not a time to be reclusive. I also hope the movie happens with EVERYONE returning to play the same characters. Maybe the movie can satisfy those who were disappointed by the book.
Rating:
Summary: Worth the wait
Review: I applaud Mr. Harris on this fine novel. While it has a few flaws, notwithstanding, I found it to be tremendously enjoyable. The book lives up to its tremendous hype, but I wouldn't rate it among the classics by any means.
Rating:
Summary: I must be strange cause I kinda liked it!
Review: Warning: Some spoilers here.....I don't read many books. No time. Can never seem to get interested etc. etc. Nor do I get excited about paying for a hard cover book. But, I did buy this one and read the whole thing. Glad I did. I was thoroughly entertained. Loved the Florence section. Made me go to the Italian tour books on my shelf and pull out a map to help visualize all of the beautiful detail. I couldn't wait to see what happened after Carlo fed the pigs the first time. The instant that Hannibal and Clarice finally meet face to face with Lecter's line "Good evening Clarice", I could just hear the roars in the movie theater. I did find the last few chapters a little confusing. I thought that Lecter was keeping Starling continually drugged and the whole dining scene with Krendler. Guess I'll have to go back over that part....
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